Apparatus for propelling projectiles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for propelling projectiles generally including a transmission gear set for providing, among other things, a mechanical advantage to an operator inputting energy into the device. The apparatus may also include an energy storage device and a safety rod for ensuring that energy is not released prematurely from the energy storage device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Taiwanese Patent Application Number 093214123 filed Dec. 7, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of this invention relate to apparatuses for propelling projectiles. Such apparatuses may have a transmission gear set or other means for creating a mechanical advantage for the operator to store energy to be used to propel projectiles.

BACKGROUND SECTION

Recreational gas-powered guns such as BB guns/paintball guns, for example, have become popular nowadays for shooting training, exercise, and team-playing activity. However it sometimes calls for great force to cock the guns. It may not be easy for some enthusiasts to use the guns as they are not strong enough to cock the guns. Furthermore the feeding device (hopper) of projectiles (e.g., BB bullets or paintballs, etc.) are mostly placed above or beneath the guns vertically. This results in a larger volume that is not only unsuitable for holding but also unstable when held on account of the bulky dimension. Meanwhile the accuracy and the velocity of the gun are always the controversy. Some of these disadvantages have resulted in the use of CO2 as the source to power the guns. However the cost as well as the malfunction are quite high. All these need to be improved.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of above, the inventors, based on their ample experience in developing and production in the recreational gas-powered gun industry in the past decades, developed innovative ways to improve the disadvantages mentioned aforesaid and overcome other obstacles to usability and production of such guns.

Embodiments of this invention provide improvements on pulling type gas-powered guns. In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, an actuator slides along a guide beneath a gun barrel. The back of the actuator is connected to a strip of gear rack. The gear rack is geared to the bottom of a piston chamber by means of a transmission gear set. Thus when the actuator moves backward and forward, the piston chamber is driven forward and backward by means of transmission gear set to save the force applied.

Embodiments in accordance with this invention may also provide improvements on the mechanism of gas-powered guns. A piston rod moves through a piston chamber and the end of the gun body, and a moving stopper that is fixed to the piston chamber, are connected to a dual-layer spring set (inner spring and outer spring) respectively. In connection with a safety wedge that provides stopping function, when the piston chamber moves backward and forward, it drives the piston rod and the moving stopper simultaneously, and compresses the inner and outer springs to store the spring force. Thus no CO2 is needed. When triggered, it drives the piston rod and moves forward the piston in front rapidly, and compresses the piston chamber, then fires the projectiles. In this way the production cost may be reduced.

Embodiments in accordance with this invention may also provide improvements on a pull-type mechanism for gas-powered guns. In some embodiments, a horizontal magazine that stores the projectiles (e.g., BB bullets/paintballs) is placed beneath the gun barrel. A feeding tip in front of a feeding spring inside the magazine is movable in chain-ball shape, and is designed to cope with curvature that may be at the end of the magazine in a way that it goes around such a corner and feeds the projectiles into the gun. In this way no projectiles will be left over in the magazine or gun barrel. All the projectiles can be shot. No feeding hopper is needed. The dimension of the gun can be reduced, and to be comfortably held in the hand. As a result, the accuracy and convenience are greatly enhanced.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for propelling projectiles in accordance with the invention includes an actuator usable by an operator for inputting energy into the apparatus, the actuator having a actuator gear rack functionally attached to the actuator. This embodiment may also include a piston chamber with a chamber gear rack functionally attached to the piston chamber. A transmission gear set in this embodiment engages the actuator gear rack and the chamber gear rack to transfer energy input from the operator to the piston chamber. A piston rod may be oriented coaxially with the piston chamber and configured so that at least a portion of the piston rod can slidably enter the piston chamber. In this embodiment the piston rod is positioned such that the input of energy by the operator causes the piston rod to move to a loaded position. This embodiment may also include an energy storage device for releasably storing energy input by the actuator, wherein the energy storing device is configured to release the stored energy by moving at least a portion of the piston rod from the loaded position into the piston chamber when activated by the operator. The movement of the piston rod into the piston chamber in this embodiment transmits a force that propels a projectile.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for propelling projectiles in accordance with the invention includes an actuator usable by an operator for inputting energy into the apparatus, the actuator having a actuator gear rack functionally attached to the actuator. This embodiment may also include a piston chamber with a chamber gear rack functionally attached to the piston chamber. A transmission gear set in this embodiment engages the actuator gear rack and the chamber gear rack to transfer energy input from the operator to the piston chamber. A piston rod may be oriented coaxially with the piston chamber and configured so that at least a portion of the piston rod can slidably enter the piston chamber. In this embodiment the piston rod is positioned such that the input of energy by the operator causes the piston rod to move to a loaded position. This embodiment may also include an energy storage device having a spring for releasably storing energy input by the actuator, wherein the energy storing device is configured to release the stored energy by moving at least a portion of the piston rod from the loaded position into the piston chamber when activated by the operator. The movement of the piston rod into the piston chamber in this embodiment transmits a force that propels a projectile.

In yet another embodiment of an apparatus for propelling projectiles in accordance with the invention, the apparatus includes a conduit for holding a plurality of generally spherical projectiles. This embodiment also includes a spring for pushing the projectiles along the conduit toward a firing position. A chain-ball shaped feeder at the end of the spring is configured to push the projectiles around a curved portion of the conduit.

In another embodiment of an apparatus for propelling projectiles in accordance with the invention, the apparatus includes a conduit for holding a plurality of generally spherical projectiles. This embodiment also includes a spring for pushing the projectiles along the conduit toward a firing position. A chain-ball shaped feeder at the end of the spring is configured to push the projectiles around a curved portion of the conduit. This embodiment also has an actuator that allows an operator to input energy into the apparatus, a transmission gear set for providing a mechanical advantage to the operator, and an energy storage device configured retain the energy input by the operator and to selectively release the energy to propel a projectile.

In another embodiment of an apparatus for propelling projectiles in accordance with the invention, the apparatus includes a conduit for holding a plurality of generally spherical projectiles. This embodiment also includes a spring for pushing the projectiles along the conduit toward a firing position. A chain-ball shaped feeder at the end of the spring is configured to push the projectiles around a curved portion of the conduit. This embodiment also has an actuator that allows an operator to input energy into the apparatus, a transmission gear set for providing a mechanical advantage to the operator, and an energy storage device configured retain the energy input by the operator and to selectively release the energy to propel a projectile. The apparatus of this embodiment also has a piston chamber and a piston rod configured so that at least a portion of the piston rod can be slidably inserted into the piston chamber. The energy storage device of this embodiment is configured so that stored energy can be selectively released to move the piston rod into the piston chamber. The embodiment also includes an actuator gear rack attached to the actuator, a set of transmission gears operatively engaged with the actuator gear rack, a piston chamber gear rack attached to the piston chamber and operatively engaged with the transmission gears, and a piston rod operatively engaged with the piston chamber. In this embodiment an operator can input energy into the apparatus using the actuator and the energy is transferred to the piston rod through the gear racks and transmission gears so that the energy storage device is enabled to release the energy by moving the piston rod into the piston chamber.

In still another embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the invention includes an actuator that allows an operator to input energy into the apparatus. This embodiment also includes a transmission gear set for providing a mechanical advantage to the operator and an energy storage device configured retain the energy input by the operator and to selectively release the energy to propel a projectile.

In another embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the invention includes an actuator that allows an operator to input energy into the apparatus. This embodiment also includes a transmission gear set for providing a mechanical advantage to the operator and an energy storage device configured retain the energy input by the operator and to selectively release the energy to propel a projectile. The apparatus of this embodiment also includes a piston chamber and a piston rod configured so that at least a portion of the piston rod can be slidably inserted into the piston chamber. The energy storage device of this embodiment may be configured so that stored energy can be selectively released to move the piston rod into the piston chamber. The embodiment further includes an actuator gear rack attached to the actuator, a set of transmission gears operatively engaged with the actuator gear rack, a piston chamber gear rack attached to the piston chamber and operatively engaged with the transmission gears, and a piston rod operatively engaged with the piston chamber. In this embodiment, an operator may be able to input energy into the apparatus using the actuator and the energy may be transferred to the piston rod through the gear racks and transmission gears so that the energy storage device is enabled to release the energy by moving the piston rod into the piston chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gun in accordance the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a gun in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross section plan view of an embodiment of a gun in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross section plan view of an embodiment of a gun in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross section plan view of an embodiment of a gun in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the innovations associated with embodiments of the invention involve improvements on traditional gas-powered guns that may require great force if not using CO2 as the power source to compress the spring to pull back the piston chamber when cocking the projectiles. It is not convenient to operate, and subsequently increases the production cost. In one embodiment, an improved version involves an actuator that slides along a guide beneath the gun barrel. At the back of the actuator, it is connected to a long strip of gear rack which is connected to the bottom of the piston chamber by means of transmission gear set geared to it. The transmission gear set may provide a mechanical advantage to the operator by moving the piston chamber a lesser distance than the actuator moves. In this way it may drive stably the piston chamber backward and forward with less power.

In some embodiments, a piston rod that moves through the piston chamber and the end of the gun body, and a moving stopper that is fixed to the piston chamber, may be connected to a dual-layer spring set (inner spring and outer spring) respectively. In connection with a safety wedge that provides a stopping function, when the piston chamber moves forward and backward, it drives the piston rod and the piston chamber to compress the inner and outer springs (the piston chamber compresses the inner spring and the piston rod compresses the outer spring) to store the spring energy. Meanwhile the resistance is dispersed and a transmission gear set may provide a mechanical advantage to the operator. The actuator compresses one spring when it moves backward, and compresses another spring when it moves forward. During firing the piston rod pushes the air in the meantime to shoot the projectiles (it also works using any number of springs or other devices usable to store energy.). With the resistance being dispersed and the mechanical advantage employed, the piston rod can be moved rapidly and strongly without the need of CO₂ when triggered. In the meantime, the spring or springs drive the piston in the front and compresses the piston chamber to fire the projectiles powerfully. In this way it saves energy. The production cost thus can be reduced as well.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gun in accordance the invention. In this embodiment, the apparatus may have gun barrel (1), actuator (2), magazine (3), piston chamber (4), trigger (5) and gun body (6). The gun barrel (1) includes a tube that guides the projectiles (e.g., BB bullets or paintballs, etc.) for shooting. Beneath it, there is one magazine (3) that stores projectiles.

Turning now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a gun in accordance with the invention. The rear end of the magazine (3) is connected to the gun barrel (1) by means of a curved conduit. The tip of the feeding spring (30) inside the magazine (3) is connected with a movable feeder (31) which is in chain-ball shape. This movable feeder can go around the corner of the curvature to feed the projectiles upward. So all the projectiles can be shot and no projectiles will be left over in the magazine (3). There is an actuator (2) sliding forward and backward along the guide under the gun barrel (1). In this embodiment the actuator is a pump-style sliding actuator, but other types of actuators will occur to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure and are contemplated by the claims that define the scope of this patent. The actuator (2) can drive the piston chamber (4) directly to move forward and backward. At the back of the actuator (2), it is connected with a strip of gear rack (21). The gear rack (21) is geared to the bottom of the piston chamber (4) by means of transmission gear set (22). The transmission gear set of this embodiment may provide a mechanical advantage to the operator in that it allows the movement of the actuator to result in less than equal movement of the piston chamber. For example, on one embodiment the actuator moves twice as far as the piston chamber, providing a 2:1 mechanical advantage to the operator that is trying to move the piston chamber via the actuator. The mechanical advantage provided by embodiments of the invention may be from 10:1 to 1:1, and the 2:1 description is simply provided as an example. The transmission gear set allows the creation of the mechanical advantage, which may have several benefits including but not limited to ease of operation, advantageous utilization of space in the design, and others. The ease of operation may be provided by the mechanical advantage that allows a lower level of force applied by the operator to be converted to a higher level of force through the mechanical advantage. Also, since the piston chamber moves a shorter distance relative to the actuator as the mechanical advantage increases, the entire stroke of the actuator may be used to input energy without the piston chamber having to move the same distance as the actuator. In other words, if the mechanical advantage is 5:1 the actuator moves five times as far as the piston chamber. This can allow for improved product configuration options as the piston chamber may be contained within a small enclosure and still compress a strong, but smaller spring, using the entire stoke of the actuator to make to force demand on the operator lower.

Meanwhile there is one inner-outer dual spring set (41)(42) between the piston rod (40) that goes through the piston chamber (4) and the rear end of the gun body (6), and the moving stopper (43) which is fixed to the rear end of the piston chamber (4). When the piston chamber (4) moves backward and secures in position, there is an elastic safety wedge (44) securing the piston rod (40) and holding it in place. When the piston chamber (4) moves forward and secures in position, there is an elastic safety wedge (45) securing the piston chamber (4) and holding it in place. When the piston chamber (4) moves backward and forward, it drives the piston rod (40) and the moving stopper (43) simultaneously to compress the outer and inner spring (41)(42) respectively. The spring force thereby is stored in a two-step way. The operation resistance is dispersed. These elements combine, in this embodiment, to create an energy storage device that allows energy input by the operator to be stored for later release. When the trigger (5) is pulled, the safety wedge (44) that stops the piston rod (40) is released, When the piston rod (40) moves forward, it pushes the elastic safety wedge (45) to release its stopping on the rear end of the piston chamber (4).

After the gun is fired, when the user pulls the actuator (2) forward and backward, the actuator (2) drives the piston chamber (4) directly to move forward and backward, and drives the gear rack (21) that is fixed at the back. The gear rack (21) drives the piston chamber (4) to move forward and backward by means of the transmission gear set (22) geared to the gear rack (21). In this way it saves the power and works more stably. When the piston chamber (4) moves backward, it drives the piston rod (40) behind backward as well. This compresses the outer spring (41) which is fixed to the gun body (6). When the piston chamber (4) moves backward to the fixed position, there is a spring below the elastic safety wedge (44) which goes down and then ascends to clog the rear end of the piston rod (40) to hold the piston rod (40) and keep it in place. In the meantime the feeding spring (30) inside the gun barrel (3) will compresses the feeder (31) and pushes the projectiles along the curvature tube to the gun barrel (1). For the last few rounds of projectiles, since the feeder (31) is in chain-ball shape, and is movable, it goes around the corner and will not go astray. So all the projectiles will be fed completely without being left over in the magazine (3). When the piston chamber (4) is moved forward by the actuator (2), the rear end of the piston rod (40) is held in place by the elastic safety wedge (44), causing it unable to move. Since the moving stopper (43) is connected to the piston chamber (4), it is driven forward as well, thus making the inner spring (42) compress forward. When the piston chamber (4) moves forward and secures in position, the elastic safety wedge (45) stops the piston chamber (4) from the back to prevent the piston chamber (4) from moving backward caused by the tension force of the inner spring (42). When the piston chamber (4) moves backward and forward, it drives in the meantime the piston rod (40) and the moving stopper (43). When the actuator (2) moves backward, it compress one spring (41). When it moves forward, it compress another spring (42). So both the inner and outer springs (41)(42) are compressed respectively. Thus the force stored is thereby doubled. Furthermore the resistance occurred during operation is dispersed.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are a cross section plan views of an embodiment of a gun in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment there is one flat-body safety rod (16) under the piston chamber (4) which snuggles to the trigger (5). Before the piston chamber (4) returns to the position, being hindered by the flat body of the safety rod (16), the safety rod (16) is unable to be activated, making it impossible for the trigger (5) to push away the elastic safety wedge (44) to fire. It thus makes it impossible to fire (which will result in damage to the piston chamber (4) and insufficient air pressure), even if the spring is cocked, when the trigger is pulled before the piston chamber (4) returns to position. When the piston chamber (4) is positioned, and the trigger (5) is pulled, it makes the elastic safety wedge (44) unlock the piston rod (40) releasing the compressed force of the dual springs (41)(42) to drive the piston rod (40) which subsequently moves accurately and stably the piston ahead through the piston chamber (4), and fires the projectiles (e.g., BB bullets or paintballs) accurately. At the time when the projectiles are being fired, the flange on the rear end of the piston rod (40) pushes the safety wedge (45) upward. When the piston chamber (4) moves backward again, it is not stopped. Therefore by means of this special two-step way, the force is doubled and stored. It may propel the piston rod (40) powerfully and rapidly without the need of CO₂ as the power source, and move the piston ahead to compress the piston chamber (4). In this way the projectiles (e.g., BB bullets and paintballs) can be fired with less power, and the production cost can be reduced.

In view of above, all the aforesaid is an approximate illustration of this invention which is not limited to or confined by the approximate illustration. Any variation/modification derived from the principle and features of this invention should be included into invention. While exemplary embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for propelling projectiles comprising: a. an actuator usable by an operator for inputting energy into the apparatus, the actuator having a actuator gear rack functionally attached to the actuator; b. a piston chamber with a chamber gear rack functionally attached to the piston chamber; c. a transmission gear set that engages the actuator gear rack and the chamber gear rack to transfer energy input from the operator to the piston chamber; d. a piston rod oriented coaxially with the piston chamber and configured so that at least a portion of the piston rod can slidably enter the piston chamber, the piston rod positioned such that the input of energy by the operator causes the piston rod to move to a loaded position; e. an energy storage device for releasably storing energy input by the actuator; and f. wherein the energy storing device is configured to release the stored energy by moving at least a portion of the piston rod from the loaded position into the piston chamber when activated by the operator, the movement of the piston rod into the piston chamber transmitting a force that propels a projectile.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device includes a spring.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device includes a safety wedge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device includes a trigger.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a pump-style slide actuator.
 6. An apparatus for propelling projectiles, the apparatus comprising: a. a conduit for holding a plurality of generally spherical projectiles; b. a spring for pushing the projectiles toward a firing position; and c. a chain-ball shaped feeder at the end of the spring that is configured to push the projectiles around a curved portion of the conduit.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a. an actuator that allows an operator to input energy into the apparatus; b. a transmission gear set for providing a mechanical advantage to the operator; and c. an energy storage device configured retain the energy input by the operator and to selectively release the energy to propel a projectile.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a. a piston chamber and a piston rod configured so that at least a portion of the piston rod can be slidably inserted into the piston chamber, the energy storage device configured so that stored energy can be selectively released to move the piston rod into the piston chamber; and b. an actuator gear rack attached to the actuator, a set of transmission gears operatively engaged with the actuator gear rack, a piston chamber gear rack attached to the piston chamber and operatively engaged with the transmission gears, and a piston rod operatively engaged with the piston chamber, wherein an operator can input energy into the apparatus using the actuator and the energy is transferred to the piston rod through the gear racks and transmission gears so that the energy storage device is enabled to release the energy by moving the piston rod into the piston chamber.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a safety rod that prevents release of the energy from the energy storage device unless the piston chamber is in the forward position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the energy storage device includes a spring.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the energy storage device includes a safety wedge.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the energy storage device includes a trigger.
 13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the actuator is a pump-style slide actuator.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the actuator is a pump-style slide actuator.
 15. An method for propelling projectiles comprising: a. inputting energy into an apparatus for propelling projectiles using an actuator; b. providing a mechanical advantage to the operator by using a transmission gear set; c. retaining the energy input by the operator using an energy storage device; and d. selectively releasing the energy to propel a projectile.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a. a piston chamber and a piston rod configured so that at least a portion of the piston rod can be slidably inserted into the piston chamber, the energy storage device configured so that stored energy can be selectively released to move the piston rod into the piston chamber; b. an actuator gear rack attached to the actuator, a set of transmission gears operatively engaged with the actuator gear rack, a piston chamber gear rack attached to the piston chamber and operatively engaged with the transmission gears, and a piston rod operatively engaged with the piston chamber, wherein an operator can input energy into the apparatus using the actuator and the energy is transferred to the piston rod through the gear racks and transmission gears so that the energy storage device is enabled to release the energy by moving the piston rod into the piston chamber.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the energy storage device includes a spring.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises a safety rod that prevents release of the energy from the energy storage device unless the piston chamber is in the forward position.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the energy storage device includes a trigger.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the actuator is a pump-style slide actuator. 